The pay must have been very good for these Japanese commercials, because these celebrities would not have been caught dead in these ads if they had aired back in the US. Thanks to Japander, many of these clips can now be viewed on YouTube.
Name any celebrity and it's likely they would have been on Japanese TV. They range from the banal-like Hulk Hogan singing a kid's song to the inexplicable drink ad with Michael J Fox clipping a bush. There is even one of Madonna as a samurai and Nicholas Cage raving about triplets! Sometimes they say something in English but other times the ads are dubbed so it is hilarious to hear Bruce Willis "speaking" Japanese. Even the Beckhams have done a commercial looking like a plastic couple.
Over the years, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governator, has done several. The one shown here is a real doozie amongst doozies.
Embarrassing Commercial Debuts
Celebrities Who Got Their Break in Japan
Trend Themes
1. Celebrity Commercials - Opportunity for businesses to leverage the fame and influence of celebrities for their brand promotions in different markets.
2. Localization of Advertisements - Potential to adapt and localize advertisements to specific cultures and languages, resulting in more relatable and engaging content.
3. Viral Advertising - The ability of entertaining and culturally unique advertisements to become viral sensations, generating organic reach and brand awareness.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - Opportunity for advertising agencies to tap into the market of celebrity endorsements and create localized advertisements.
2. Entertainment - Opportunity for entertainment companies to explore cross-cultural collaborations and leverage celebrities' popularity in different regions.
3. Social Media - Opportunity for social media platforms to host and amplify viral advertisements, leading to increased user engagement and ad revenue.